I want to plant ten million Ayurvedic Trees - Yogi Arwind

Its been about four years that I am planting trees (Ayurvedic saplings). As a part of my yogic journey, I have traveled extensively in different parts of India and various other countries. Everywhere apart from teaching yoga and philosophy of yoga, important messages I have given are cleaning the rivers, reducing / eliminating use of plastic and planting trees - especially Ayurvedic plants. 

During my travel I realized that India though one country has different weather patterns. There is a confirmed co-relation between trees and rainfall. Wherever more trees / deep forest are, rainfall in these areas is better than the regions which are deforested. Western Ghats, regions of Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, North Eastern India, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand are good examples of this phenomenon. So idea came to my mind - why not plant trees where there is scarcity of rain. Parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, UP, Odisha, MP, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh really need drastic measures and huge drives of forestation so that the green cover & resultant rainfall could be improved.

I started my plantation in Kashmir through some unique encounter. A Muslim lady visited me calling Pir sahab and wanted some remedy from me for the problem of a soul possessing her. I advised her to plant five Chinar saplings and miraculously she said her problem got over. Then I planted trees in Rajasthan, Karnataka, parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat. As a matter of faith when people visit me for some divine remedy to their problems, I do advise to plant trees. Increasing number of people give me the feedback that their problems get solved. I call it as divine grace and blessing of Vriksha Devata (Tree God). 

Aamla tree plantation near Bangalore at Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple

I do have a theory regarding this. Human life day by day is becoming superficial by bringing a disconnect between humans and the nature. Modernization, Urbanization have created new employment opportunities and people are moving away from farming. City population is swelling and villages are drying up. Impact of this city ward movement of population is making the village population lazy. Best example is Kerala where people spend their month by waiting for remittance coming from abroad. Same scene is observed in many parts of India. So the villagers are not farming seriously. the lands under cultivation are becoming arid. There is no guidance to these villagers about new methods of farming, fruits plantation etc. Such vast idle manpower in India needs to be tapped for forestation, mass plantation drives. I am exactly trying that.

Farming is predominantly done by our farmers with commercial motive. Which is not wrong. But some measures of common gain, like forestation need to be advised to the farmers. Forestation will improve rainfall in the region and will benefit all. When I share this simple idea with the farmers, they like it and wish to participate.

While doing plantation, choice of plants is very important. Government agencies do forestation too. But they mainly plant the trees which are non-local (foreign), which can grow fast with less water, and which normally don't bear fruits. Such forestation drives help in reporting increased forest area. But all plants don't suit the given region. So I suggest to plant Ayurvedic saplings. General trees useful in Ayurvedic medicines are Aamla, Vat, Peepal, Arjun, Harad, Behad, Bael, Audumbar, Jamun, Neem, etc. These grow into big trees and generally grow in any part of India. And then we have list of other trees which can grow in specific regions. I advise on that too. 

Ayurvedic Saplings distribution at Nashik, Maharashtra

 Another reason to go for Ayurvedic plantation is, increasing demand for Ayurvedic medicine. World over the demand for Ayurvedic medicine has drastically gone up. Many new companies in India are producing Ayurvedic medicine. General worry you would find with the raw material procurement department of these companies is - unavailability of enough raw material. Parts of Himalayas, Cchattisgarh, Odisha, Western Ghats etc are the few regions where you procure raw material from. With increasing demand, the plants are depleting fast. In few years, or may be today itself we may come with the news of ayurvedic products not meeting the specifications as advised in the old scriptures. So planting Ayurvedic sapling is a must. If we wish to give good medicine to ourselves and future generations, we should plant more and more Ayurvedic plants. 

Not only big Ayurvedic trees, but encouraging Ayurvedic farming is important in this regard.

This plantation drive is for the benefit of humanity. So larger participation in this is expected.Everyone may not own farmland, but one may have ability to help buy the sapling, one may have ability to help nourish the plant for two years, one may help protecting the plant. My idea is to develop a big garden for each village where basic medicine for the village could be procured from. 

Sapling plantation at Sao Paulo, Brazil

Cities are cutting trees for making space for constructing new houses, some are cutting trees for making wood available for the housing and industrial purpose, villages are mindlessly cutting trees for source of energy (for cooking fire). During my journey I have seen, if not less, thousands of hands cutting trees. Unfortunately I seldom came across the sight of tree plantations. 

Though I have not kept record, by now, I must have planted between 8000 to 9000 plants. I wish to plant one Crore (ten million) Ayurvedic plants in my lifetime. Directly or indirectly. I am sure I will get necessary help from the conscious souls who think of common welfare. I am sure the divine will complete the Sankalpa.

Amen 

Shubham Bhavatu.

Yogi Arwind

हम परदेसी पंछी बाबा (Hum Pardesi Panchhi Baba)

(One of the very insightful bhajans of Kabir interpreted by Rangi Arwind)

हम परदेसी पंछी बाबा, अणी देसरा नाही

Hum pardesi panchhi baba, ani desara nahi.

(I am from the foreign land my dear and not from here!)

Realized soul recognizes that the soul (the real force of the human existence) is from somewhere else - from the domain of supreme consciousness. It expands beyond the physical reality which is defined as the local land (individual consciousness). The key to existence is divine grace. The moment the grace evaporates, existence ceases. This grace is represented by soul which can not be identified by our senses but its there! So a realized yogi who identifies himself with the soul and not with the body, says that the 'subtlest' life force -Atman is the reality and not the gross body. Gross body here is called as a local land and Soul as the bird from far!
Hence the realized soul says - I am from the foreign land my dear and not from here!

Rangi Arwind at Kunjapuri (Himalaya)

अणी देसरा लोग अचेता पल पल पर पछ्ताई भाई संतो

Ani desara log acheta pal pal par pachhtaai bhai santo
(And listen dear saints, the people from local land repent every moment)

Sufferings are experienced because one identifies his existence with the body - the gross one. And gross is bound tho undergo sufferings as it is measurable. Those who suffer will obviously repent for the experience. They will repent that they have not grown beyond bodily identification and hence are suffering!

मुख बिन गाना, पग बिन चलना, बिन पंख उड जाई हो 

Mukh bin gaana, pag bin chalana, bin pankh ud jaai ho

(one would sing without mouth, would walk without feet, and would fly without wings)

Soul is powerful. Soul is powered by supreme soul - the supreme consciousness. And this all pervasive, omnipotent force can make anything and everything happen. Bodily consciousness would limit ones power of manifestation to the the bodily organs and senses but 'soul' identity won't require bodily organs at all. Hence for such joyful creature, its possible to experience the joy of singing, wandering, flying etc just by imagination. He doesn't need to actually walk, sing or fly with the body! 
So here actually Kabir is trying to explain Vibhuti characteristics explained by Patanjali in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Where a realized yogi can do miracles - not for public display but as a part of his evolutionary yogic journey!

बिना मोह की सुरत हमारी, अनहद मे रम जाई हो

Bina moh ki surat humari, anahad mein ram jaai ho

(My identity is one that is unattached, who is constantly engaged in divine pursuit)

Yogi reaches the bliss of samadhi or constant 'experience of soulfulness' by non-attachment. attachments stall ones progress in spiritual evolution. Attachments keep one busy at body and mind level where disers and efforst to manifest them become core theme of life. And desires appear in chain which keep one engaged in illusionary world. Yogi on the path of 'self-realization' has to be detached and one-centered! Patanjali maharaj says that abhyasvairagyabhaym tannirodhah. the modulations of mind can be restrained by persistent self study and supreme detachment.

छाया बैठू अगनी व्यापे धूप अधिक सितलाई हो 

Chhaya baithu agani vyape, dhoop adhik sitlaai ho

(when one sits in shadow, he can feel heat of fire and in the sun, he experiences coolness)

For a ordinary human who is engrossed with various desires, even in the shadow, there will be experience of sunburn (uneasiness) or even in the sun he will feel cold - because his mind is busy, constantly working. Master yogi would rise above duality. He won't experience heat or cold as a normal human being would do. ideally he would master over the bodily experiences of heat and cold. These experiences in yogic language are called as Urmi. They actually are the food/ inspiration behind bodily being. These Urmi are hunger & thirst, heat & cold and desire & attachment. Master yogi would rise above these six urmis and attain the siddhi where he can experience cold in heat and sunburn in the shadow!

छाया धूप से सतगुरु न्यारा, मै सतगुरु के भाई 

Chhaya Dhoop se satguru nyaara, main satguru ke bhai

(Guru is unique force than the experience of duality of shadow and sun. I am with the Guru who guides to Truth!)

Experience of duality is ordinary experience. Divine truth would expand ones consciousness to an extent where the duality ends and supreme oneness pervades. Such experience is possible through a guru when one derails on the path of detachment and self study. Hence the real seeker is committed to a guru who guides one experience the truth.

आठो पहर अडक रहे आसन, कदे न उतरे शाही

Aathau pahar adak rahe asan kade na utare shahi

(All the time I ll be meditating and would experience the bliss of 'Royal Self')

During one's yogic journey - which is not result oriented but directed towards the 'wider' experience, towards experiencing the divine vastness - determination is important. consistency is important hence a yogi would be meditating / focusing on the Supreme consciousness with determination all hours of the day. The only thought in his mind is God, God and God! When this happens, it is like a royal ride -Shahi! All majestic and colorful.  

Sadhu in meditation

मन पवन दोनो नही पहुंचे, उन्ही देस के माही 

Man pavan dono nahi pahunche unhi des ke maahi

(When yogi establishes his one-pointedness on god, the waves of mind or power of wind can not destabilize)

When the state of samadhi, which is a constant experience of bliss, and not glimpses of it - is achieved, the seeker is firmly established in Supreme Consciousness. And then nothing can deviate him from there. In that country of supreme consciousness, mind and wind can not reach. 

निरगुण रूप है मेरे दाता, सरगुण नाम धराई 

Nirgun roop hain mere daata, sargun naam dharai

(Supreme consciousness has no form, it only takes form for a while)

The realized yogi knows that the nature of god is -formless, shapeless, tasteless - i.e. beyond senses. The 'form' or name is temporary for a less conscious being to understand. Form is just the few attributes of god that are used by seeker as -a step - to understand the wider nature of god!

कहे कबीर सुनो भाई साधो, साहब है घट माही

Kahe Kabir suno bhai sadho, sahab hain ghat maahi.

(And says Kabir, listen O' Sadhu, the Supreme Lord resides in you!)

Rangi Arwind

Kunjapuri, Rishikesh 

(Himalaya)

You can listen this bhajan sung by Rangi Arwind here: https://soundcloud.com/yogi-arwind/hum-pardesi-panchhi-baba

Food: Raw or Cooked?

Its a hot topic of discussion amongst yogis and followers of spirituality, whether to eat food raw or cooked? With the rapid spread of yoga and Ayurveda globally and its collusion or assimilation with different cultures, there is lot of curiosity, harsh opinions, blind following on this issue. No doubt there is rise of food consciousness!

I have seen many yogis during my spiritual travel in India who are living only on fruits, roots or milk. Some of them have been drinking only chai as a source of their food. On the other hand I have seen yogis from certain lineages over-eating, eating rich food (cooked) and are obviously overweight & not in good health. 

So there is no thumb rule to prove the fact that yogis eat raw food or cooked food. The traditional yoga lineages (which have gone corrupt by adopting various influences) have varied opinions on whether to eat food raw or cooked.

For me the very question of 'this or that' type is full of injustice to the wholeness of the topic of discussion. We must understand the reasons why we eat food, why we cook, when we cook, when eat raw, which body types need what type of foods, weather conditions one lives in and so on...

Indian Thaali 

Ayurveda would treat food habit differently than the science of yoga. Yogic science expects human being to rise above the annamaya kosha and experience higher beings to experience ultimate 'Kaivalya'. So obviously the food pattern changes from solid cooked food to raw, fruity and juicy food with less spices and 'guna' consideration - Sattvik food. Ayurvedic considerations will be mainly the six rasas, seven dhatus, three doshas, three gunas, etc. 

Cooking of food is greatly dealt in many Indian sciences and the kings, gurus, wives of gurus have attained great expertise of cooking food. Bheem of Mahabharata has played the role of ballavacharya when the pandavas when in exile and he is considered as the inventor of 'fruit salad' (Ref; Durga Bhagvat)

The very reason of cooking food is to make it free of bacterias, decomposing the molecules for ease of digestion, making of rasa by combining various ingredients. There is such great detailing of cooking food in Ayurveda that which wood should be used for fire and how much time the food should be cooked etc is mentioned with clarity. For example chyavanprash is supposed to be cooked on the wood fire of Indian berry (Ber in Hindi)

Movement of raw food is growing big and big. Many yogis in the west proudly convey of their raw food diet. if the digestive ability of a person is good, eating raw food is not bad. secondly source of the raw food, bacteria in it also counts. Pitta dominant persons can go for raw food. But vata dominant people who generally are gifted with weak digestive ability should be careful with raw food. 

Raw Food: Fruits, vegetables & Juices

The kind of life one leads is important factor in deciding the food habit. For the ones leading sedimentary lifestyle, raw food is good. In my opinion, yoga teachers who undergo physical strain must not be totally dependent on raw food. Till their 40s they may not feel any bodily ailment but later on they may face issues with veins and muscles. 

Leading spiritual life means bringing balance to life. Hence real yogis should not go for raw or cooked food debate but should make a right combination based on their conditions. 

For those who wish to undergo cleansing, following raw food diet is advisable for a short period. Since the modern day yogis keep themselves busy in traveling, strains, stressful lifestyle, it is good to go for food that builds body to cope with all these.

We already have brought down health parameters to 'thin body' & 'less calories'. If we shrink the whole lot of considerations of food culture, we will be actually killing the science that has kept human race alive and going ahead with strength.  

In my opinion, the food should be 'light' that leads you to 'light'

Amen!

Shubham Bhavatu.

Rangi Arwind

 (Rishikesh)

Hindus, the Deity Worshipers

आत्मैव परमो देवः - The Self is the Highest Deity

The debate on religious conversions has occupied the public mind-space in India. More or less all over the world idea of religion, views and counter-views on religion, religious conflicts etc. constantly appear in the news. depending on ones understanding of religion, based on ones affiliation to some religious group, based on benefits from associating to some religious viewpoint, one tries make his case in such debates.

In India, one major point discussed during religious debates is 'worship of deity'. Sanatan Dharma (so called Hinduism) has an option of worshiping a deity by the seeker or religious practitioner. Other semitic religions generally differentiate themselves from Sanatan Dharma on the point of 'not believing in deity worship'. So is 'Deity Worship' the prime differentiator of Sanatan Dharma from other religions?

Well, Sanatan Dharma, as the literal meaning of the term suggests, is the way of life since eternity. Its not just living a specific lifestyle but also philosophy of lifestyle. And the basic philosophy says that the purpose of life is to 'do away with the sorrows' of life. And the sorrows of life occur because of disconnect or imbalance in the understanding of basic elements of Supreme Soul (Paramatma), Soul (Atma) & the universe (Prakriti). To do away the sorrow, one should seek higher knowledge, engage in actions those bridge the disconnect in the above three.

Simplest means to reach the balance or unison of these three is mediation - where the seeker tries to rise above the state of 'bodily being' to the state of 'Soul Existence' and then reaches and remains in the state of Samadhi where the 'oneness' with the supreme soul is attained.

What appears simplest in the above method of raising consciousness is sometimes the most difficult thing to do for many practitioners - i. e. going beyond the state of bodily being. Worldly attachments, various distractions, lack of focus, bodily ailments, lack of primary knowledge etc. act as hindrance in raising the consciousness beyond the body. As one can imagine large number of people will fall in this category because they are so deeply attached to their family, jobs, emotions, friends, social issues etc. For such seekers option of 'deity worship' is recommended. 

Worship of Lord Shri Jagannatha

The worship is not only of a statue made of stone or metal but of the nature, of the river, of mountains, of the sky, of the Sun, the moon, of living person (Guru), of parents, of the animals like Cow, Bull etc.

Yoga Vaashishtha says, For those who have not known the essential nature of the Deity, the worship of form and the like has been prescribed. To one who is not capable of traveling the distance of Yojana (eight miles), the distance of one Krosha (two miles) is prescribed.

Deity worship is creation of an environment. Its a conducive environment that will help one raise his consciousness. When the distracted mind would find it difficult to focus on the supreme consciousness, the medium of deity is provided here. The deity, style of worship, its relationship with five elements, chanting of mantras, burning of incense, decorating the deity as a human being, sense of purity and faith involved in the whole ritual helps one to calm down his mind. It helps to transcend to a higher level of consciousness. The sense gets generated that some power is there which is above my bodily being. Continuous engagement is such ritual (pooja) helps the mind to settle & forms a take off ground for the mind fly high. 

Yoga Vaashishta explains further journey of the devotee very beautifully. It says, आत्मैव परमो देवः  (Aatmaiv Paramo Devah) - The Self itself is the highest deity. Worship it. Nourish it so that the union with the Supreme Soul could be attained. It says further, "The lotus eyed Vishnu is not the deity, the three eyed Shiva is not the deity. For the deity is not incarnate in the body, nor is the Deity of the form of the mind. The splendor which is not artificial and which is without beginning and the end is called deity. 

Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras says that the Deity, or God or Ishwar is the one who is beyond the sufferings, bondage of karma, remnants of Karma that cause suffering or the desires. Such special being is God!

क्लेशकर्मविपाकाशयैरपरामृष्टः पुरुषविशेष ईश्वरः॥२४॥

Yoga Vaashishtha says, Pure Consciousness, which is beyond any fragmentation and which is of the nature of generality of existence, attaining to the nature of vast existence (totality of the being) is described by the word 'Deva'(Deity).

Yoga vaashishtha explains the relationship beween God and 'I'. The Supreme Consciousness gradually moved by the splendor of energies of space, time and the like, having become the Jeeva (Individual Soul or Individual Consciousness) soon becomes the Buddhi (Intellect). Thereafter it becomes the sense of 'I'. Then attaining the state of the mind, it clings to worldly existence. 

This pure consciousness experiences sorrow abiding in the body due to this idea of "I am". This unhappiness which is nourished by mere imagination is destroyed only by the absence of imagination (the thought). 

Coming back to the current affairs, the deity worship in the form of 'Worship of the form' is helpful to keep ignorant, illusionary souls engaged in the spiritual journey. If they are not directed to such endeavors, they will engage more into body dominant enterprise like acquisition of things, competing for acquisition, fighting for acquisition for bodily gratification. To keep masses engaged in 'good deeds' religion can play good role. Good deed of 'Deity worship'is one such remedy to help raise consciousness of the masses. 

Amen.

Shubham Bhavatu.

Yogi Arwind

(Rangi Arwind)

History of Yoga

Soon International Yoga Day will be a reality reflecting increased enthusiasm towards this science and art of integrated lifestyle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed for International Yoga Day during his maiden speech in the United Nations general assembly. As of now 130 nations have supported this move. Modi's proposal is just a reflection of last few decades of increased awareness about Yoga all over the world.

When I come across practicing yogis from India and from the West, an interesting fact I come across is, their ignorance about the history and tradition of Yoga. Western approach to yoga ranges from physical exercises to body stretches with the funniest variations - like vikram yoga, hot yoga, power yoga - brought out recently to make the 'sale' of yoga training an attractive proposition.

Indian tradition has always treated Yoga as a lifetime commitment to evolve more conscious. It is the methodology & practice that helps one reach supreme consciousness. Yog Shastra (Science of Yoga) is part of six Darshans of Vedic knowledgebase that help us understand the complexity of life.

All the learned yogis & sadhus I have met in my life have always mentioned Samkhya & Yoga together. And they believe Kapil is the originator of Samkhya Yoga. While first teacher of Yoga is called as Hiranyagarbha (The Sun). And Kapil is one of the most ancient Rishis known to us. He finds mention in the Rigveda verses. So Kapil is from Vedic period. Thus Yoga was a popular practice and philosophy during the Vedic period. The term Ýoga'has been mentioned in the all four Vedas namely; Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda, Atharveda. Time of Rigveda is considered as 8000 years old.

References of Yoga in Rigveda, Samveda & Atharvveda

Many Upnishads also have reference of Yoga with details of philosophy and practice. योगप्रवृत्तिं प्रथमां वदन्ति says Shwetashvatar Upanishad, which means 'First salutations to the commitment for Yoga'. This same Upnishad says, न तस्य रोगो न जरा न मृत्युः प्राप्तस्य योगाग्निमयं शरीरम् which means 'the one who burns his body in the fire of Yoga, he will be free from the diseases, ageing and death'. Maitrayani Upanishad, Garbhopanishad, Brihadaranyak Upanishad, Kathakopnishad have not only mentioned yoga but have praised the practice as an ultimate means of liberation.

Practice of Yoga took a different form after Upanishadic period as it slowly got disassociated from Samkhya and focused more on Samadhi aspect. The same trend reached its peack during the time of Mahavira & Buddha. Bhagvat Geeta also mentions about loss of some aspects of Yogic theory of Kapil Muni with the passage of time.

एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः I
स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप II

Patanjali is the most important name after Kapil Muni in the field of Yoga. There are different opinions about the time period of Patanjali. Dr S N Dasgupta, Shri Jwalaprasad, Richard Grabey,

Mircea Eliade have given multiple references and opinions. After studying various references one can come to conclusion that the time of Patanjali was 200 BC. I don't like to go into dates of existence of great people as their work should inspire us and not their birthdates or death dates. Patanjali was such a great saint that he is considered as the most knowledgeable authority on Yoga, Grammar & Medicine (Ayurveda). One interesting tradition is important to be referred in this regard:

In the gurukuls, which follow the ancient tradition of learning Sanskrit, the students offer the yellow mustard & yogurt in the name of Patanjali before the start of learning of 'Mahabhashya' . The mantra recited during the offering is as follows:

वाक्यकारं वररुचिं भाष्यकारं पतञ्जलिम्
पाणिनिं सूत्रकारं च प्रणतोऽस्मि मुनित्रयम्
योगेन चित्तस्य पदेन वाचां मलं शरीरस्य च वैद्यकेन
योऽपाकरोत्तं प्रवरं मुनीनां पतञ्जलिं प्राञ्जलिरानतोऽस्मि

These shlokas help us confirm that Patanjali is the great sage who authoritatively wrote the three scriptures of Yoga Sutra, Maha Bhashya & Charak Samhita. Yoga Sutras are the most famous compilation of Yogic science aphorisms by Patanjali. And one must not forget that study of other darshans; namely, Purva Mimansa, Uttar Mimansa, Nyaya, Vaisheshik & Samkhya is necessary before studying Yoga Sutras.

Patanjali Muni (who is considered as a snake with 1000 hoods because of his intelligence and authority over many subjects)

Some of the major philosophers and practitioners of Yoga after Patanjali include:  

Bhashyakar Vyasa (2nd Century)

Vachaspati Mishra (Tattva Vaisharadi) (841 AC)

King Bhoj (11th Century)

Vijnanbhikshu (Yoga Vartik)(16th Century)

Bhavaganesh (Vritti)(17th Century)

Nagoji Bhatta (Chhayaa) (17th Century)

Ramananda Yati (Maniprabha) (18th Century)

Narayan Teertha (Sootrarthprabodhini) (18th Century)

Apart from this lineage of Kapil school of Yoga, which invariably is a culmination of Samkhya philosophy, various other proponents of time specific philosophies and practioners have entriched the field of Yoga. They include: Matsyendra Nath, Gorakh Nath, Swatmaram etc.

Modern yogis who followed philosophy as well as practice include: Paramahansa Yogananda, Lahiri Mahashaya, Vivekananda,Yukteshwar, Krishanammacharya, Pattabhi Jois, BKS Iyengar, Baba Ramdev etc.

The flow of Yoga brought to us by these great masters is the best gift to mankind. May the practice of yoga help you experience the supreme consciousness.

श्री श्री गंगा स्तोत्रम् (Sri Sri Ganga Stotram)

श्री श्री गंगा स्तोत्रम् (Sri Sri Ganga Stotram)

रचना: आदि शंकराचार्य (Author: Adi Shankaracarya)

Shri Yogi Arwind on the banks of Ganga in the Himalayas

देवि! सुरेश्वरि! भगवति! गंगे त्रिभुवनतारिणि तरलतरंगे ।
शंकरमौलिविहारिणि विमले मम मतिरास्तां तव पदकमले ॥ १ ॥

devi sureśvari bhagavati gańge
tribhuvana-tāriṇi tarala tarańge
śańkara-mauli-vihāriṇi vimale
mama matir āstāṁ tava pada-kamale

O Goddess Ganga! You are the divine river from heaven, you are the saviour of all the three worlds, you are pure and restless, you adorn Lord Shiva’s head. O Mother! may my mind always rest at your lotus feet.


भागीरथिसुखदायिनि मातस्तव जलमहिमा निगमे ख्यातः ।
नाहं जाने तव महिमानं पाहि कृपामयि मामज्ञानम् ॥ २ ॥

bhāgirathi sukha-dāyini mātas
tava jala-mahimā nigame khyātaḥ
nāhaṁ jāne tava mahimānaṁ
pāhi kṛpāmayi mām ajnānam

O Mother Bhagirathi! You give happiness to everyone. The significance of your holy waters is sung in the Vedas. I am ignorant and am not capable to comprehend your importance. O Devi! you are full of mercy. Please protect me.


हरिपदपाद्यतरंगिणि गंगे हिमविधुमुक्ताधवलतरंगे ।
दूरीकुरु मम दुष्कृतिभारं कुरु कृपया भवसागरपारम् ॥ ३ ॥

hari-pada-pādya-tarańgiṇi gańge
hima-vidhu-muktā-dhavala-tarańge
dūrīkuru mama duṣkṛti-bhāraṁ
kuru kṛpayā bhava-sāgara-pāram

O Devi! Your waters are as sacred as “Charanamriti” of Sri Hari. Your waves are white like snow, moon and pearls. Please wash away all my sins and help me cross this ocean of Samsara.


तव जलममलं येन निपीतं परमपदं खलु तेन गृहीतम् ।
मातर्गंगे त्वयि यो भक्तः किल तं द्रष्टुं न यमः शक्तः ॥ ४ ॥

tava jalam amalaṁ yena nipītaṁ
parama-padaṁ khalu tena gṛhītam
mātar gańge tvayi yo bhaktaḥ
kila taṁ draṣṭuṁ na yamaḥ śaktaḥ

O Mother! those who partake of your pure waters, definitely attain the highest state. O Mother Ganga! Yama, the Lord of death cannot harm your devotees.


पतितोद्धारिणि जाह्नवि गंगे खंडित गिरिवरमंडित भंगे ।
भीष्मजननि हे मुनिवरकन्ये पतितनिवारिणि त्रिभुवन धन्ये ॥ ५ ॥

patitoddhāriṇi jāhnavi gańge
khaṇḍita-giri-vara-maṇḍita-bhańge
bhīṣma janani he muni-vara-kanye
patita-nivāriṇi tribhuvana-dhanye

O Jahnavi! your waters flowing through the Himalayas make you even more beautiful. You are Bhishma’s mother and sage Jahnu’s daughter. You are saviour of the people fallen from their path, and so you are revered in all three worlds.


कल्पलतामिव फलदां लोके प्रणमति यस्त्वां न पतति शोके ।
पारावारविहारिणि गंगे विमुखयुवति कृततरलापांगे ॥ ६ ॥

kalpa-latām iva phaladām loke
praṇamati yas tvāṁ na patati śoke
pārāvāra-vihāriṇi gańge
vimukha-vanitā-kṛta-taralāpāńge

O Mother! You fulfill all the desires of the ones devoted to you. Those who bow down to you do not have to grieve. O Ganga! You are restless to merge with the ocean, just like a young lady anxious to meet her beloved.


तव चेन्मातः स्रोतः स्नातः पुनरपि जठरे सोपि न जातः ।
नरकनिवारिणि जाह्नवि गंगे कलुषविनाशिनि महिमोत्तुंगे ॥ ७ ॥

tava cen mātaḥ srotaḥ-snātaḥ
punar api jaṭhare so’pi na jātaḥ
naraka-nivāriṇi jāhnavi gańge
kaluṣa-vināśini mahimottuńge

O Mother! those who bathe in your waters do not have to take birth again. O Jahnavi! You are held in the highest esteem. You destroy your devotee’s sins and save them from hell.


पुनरसदंगे पुण्यतरंगे जय जय जाह्नवि करुणापांगे ।
इंद्रमुकुटमणिराजितचरणे सुखदे शुभदे भृत्यशरण्ये ॥ ८ ॥

punar asad-ańge puṇya-tarańge
jaya jaya jāhnavi karuṇāpāńge
indra-mukuṭa-maṇi-rājita-caraṇe
sukhade śubhade bhṛtya-śaraṇye

O Jahnavi! You are full of compassion. You purify your devotees with your holy waters. Your feet are adorned with the gems of Indra’s crown. Those who seek refuge in you are blessed with happiness.


रोगं शोकं तापं पापं हर मे भगवति कुमतिकलापम् ।
त्रिभुवनसारे वसुधाहारे त्वमसि गतिर्मम खलु संसारे ॥ ९ ॥

rogaṁ śokaṁ tāpaṁ pāpaṁ
hara me bhagavati kumati-kalāpam
tribhuvana-sāre vasudhāhāre
tvam asi gatir mama khalu saṁsāre

O Bhagavati! Take away my diseases, sorrows, difficulties, sins and wrong attitudes. You are the essence of the three worlds and you are like a necklace around the Earth. O Devi! You alone are my refuge in this Samsara.


अलकानंदे परमानंदे कुरु करुणामयि कातरवंद्ये ।
तव तटनिकटे यस्य निवासः खलु वैकुंठे तस्य निवासः ॥ १० ॥

alakānande paramānande
kuru karuṇāmayi kātara-vandye
tava taṭa-nikaṭe yasya nivāsaḥ
khalu vaikuṇṭhe tasya nivāsaḥ

O Ganga! those who seek happiness worship you. You are the source of happiness for Alkapuri and source of eternal bliss. Those who reside on your banks are as privileged as those living in Vaikunta.


वरमिह नीरे कमठो मीनः किं वा तीरे शरटः क्षीणः ।
अथवाश्वपचो मलिनो दीनस्तव न हि दूरे नृपतिकुलीनः ॥ ११ ॥

varam iha nīre kamaṭho mīnaḥ
kiṁ vā tīre śaraṭaḥ kṣīṇaḥ
athavā śvapaco malino dīnaḥ
tava na hi dūre nṛpatiḥ kulīnaḥ

O Devi ! It is better to live in your waters as turtle or fish, or live on your banks as poor “candal” rather than to live away from you as a wealthy king.


भो भुवनेश्वरि पुण्ये धन्ये देवि द्रवमयि मुनिवरकन्ये ।
गंगास्तवमिमममलं नित्यं पठति नरो यः स जयति सत्यम् ॥ १२ ॥

bho bhuvaneśvari puṇye dhanye
devi dravamayi muni-vara-kanye
gańgā-stavam imam amalaṁ nityaṁ
paṭhati naro yaḥ sa jayati satyam

O Godess of Universe! You purify us. O daughter of muni Jahnu! one who recites this Ganga Stotram everyday, definitely achieves success.


येषां हृदये गंगा भक्तिस्तेषां भवति सदा सुखमुक्तिः ।
मधुराकंता पंझटिकाभिः परमानंदकलितललिताभिः ॥ १३ ॥

yeṣāṁ hṛdaye gańgā bhaktis
teṣāṁ bhavati sadā sukha-muktiḥ
madhura-manohara-pajjhaṭikābhiḥ
paramānanda-kalita-lalitābhiḥ

Those who have devotion for Mother Ganga, always get happiness and they attain liberation. This beautiful and lyrical Gangastuti is a source of Supreme bliss.


गंगास्तोत्रमिदं भवसारं वांछितफलदं विमलं सारम् ।
शंकरसेवक शंकर रचितं पठति सुखीः तव इति च समाप्तः ॥ १४ ॥

gańgā-stotram idaṁ bhava-sāraṁ
vāñchitaphaladam vimalaṁ sāram
śańkara-sevaka-śańkara-racitaṁ
paṭhati ca vinayīdam iti samāptam

This Ganga Stotram, written by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, devotee of Lord Shiva, purifies us and fulfills all our desires.

Hope in the crumbling times...

The current phase that mankind is going through, I call as crumbling times. All that was made to believe is crumbling. The institutions are falling apart. Businesses are crumbling. Media myths are exposed. Value systems are being re shaped. Belief systems are questioned. Anything and everything that ruled over us through the organised form is clearly in doubtful existence.

In terms of Economics, the exploitation of resources and the resultant shaping of the world is in serious doubt. The imbalance that has been caused by the exploitation of resources has started taking its toll. Weather is changing, health of humans and animals is degrading, more natural disasters are happening.... When so much uncertainty and negativity is getting spread around, what is the ray of hope for the mankind?

In these interesting transition times, some developments have caught my attention. Few months before major floods took place in the Himalayas and thousands of human and animal lives were lost. It was huge devastation. Though the lives lost, stood strong in the calamity was the thousands of years old temple of Lord Shiva in Kedarnath, the powerful energy spot!

Majestic Kedarnath Temple standing unscathed amidst the debris after devastating floods in the Himalayas.
Photo Courtesy: Tilak Soni

Fox News published the picture of devastating typhoon in Philippines that took place in November 2013, where the Church was standing tall and mostly without any real damage while the surrounding was totally destroyed.

The Holy Cross in the Church is not damaged in the natures furry in recent cyclone in Philippines though the bigger structures were damaged around and thousands lost their lives.
Photo Courtesy : Fox News

Recently, I came across the picture of Tsunami that hit South East Asian countries few years before, where the Mosque was intact while the concrete structures around were totally destroyed.

The Mosque stands still despite the devastation around by the strong Tsunami.
Photo Courtesy : www.Allvoices.com 

All these images are a strong message for mankind. The same mankind which is busy fighting over religious, national, racial, linguistic identities and so on. The same mankind that is insanely illusionary about its conquer over the nature through so called scientific advancements. The same mankind, in the name of economic development, is busy digging Mother Earth, cutting huge trees, polluting  the air and water, the same mankind that has gone so far from its true nature of harmonious existence with the fellow beings in the universe.

Be it a temple, church, mosque or any other place of worship, the message is clear and loud. The divine energy is the same, though named different by ignorant humans. It's the place of high energy that has remained intact and the divisive, illusionary beings have blown away. Drowned away.

Any place of worship is a high energy spot, not only because of the deity in the place, but mainly because the immense faith of the devotees who visit the place. The place of worship gets its strength through the pure intentions of the believers. This belief is the strongest force apparently represented as devotion to a specific religious figure of worship, but ultimately it's the recognition and respect to the 'supreme consciousness' which is beyond any identity.

So the message is strong and clear, let's build the spots of such high energy everywhere. Not through the bricks and concrete but through the unconditional faith in the supreme energy. Such energy fields when increase in numbers and ultimately cover every part of the universe, rest assured, we have lived the divine will of protecting and preserving the universe and being in harmony with it!

Let's build the energy fields around us through good intentions, through soft and pleasing language, through respect for the living and non living beings, through good karma, by abandoning divisive methods and means, by planting trees, by taking care of needy and under privileged, by being kind and compassionate...

Let's build the energy fields.
Lets revive the miraculous universe!

Amen.

Shubham Bhavatu.

Yogi Arwind
(In Seminyak Bali, Indonesia)

Who is Goddess?

All the gods went to the goddess and asked her in the chorus, "O' goddess Mahadevi, Who are you? What is your nature?"

The goddess (Devi) replied, " I am the brahman itself. From me originates the universe of the form and the non-form. The universe of prakriti and purusha."

" I am the bliss. I am the form & expression of bliss. I am all that is science. I am non-science. I am the brahman that every soul should know of. I am the non-brahman too. I am the five elements. I am the universe that is beyond these five elements. All that universe which is visible, which has form; is me!" The Goddess continued.

She says further, " I am the Vedas, I am that knowledge too which may not have incorporated in the Vedas. All that takes birth is me. All that doesnot take birth (permanant) is me too. I wander in the form of all Rudras, Vasus, Adityas, and Vishwadevas. I feed, take care of the Sun and the Rain God (Mitra & Varuna), also of the King of gods and Fire god (Indra & Agni) and of both the Ashwini Kumars (the doctors of gods). I take the form of Soma, Twashta, Pushan, and Bhaga, the early Vedic deities. I appear in the form Vishnu, Brahma and Prajapati."

" I am all that wealth which the performer of Yagya possesses in the form of the havi (the items offered in the yagya). I am the goddess of the whole universe. I give wealth and prosperity to my worshipers, I am the form of brahman, I am the main deity among various gods for whom the yagya
and worship is performed. I create the sky as an impression over my transperent soul. I reside in that intellect and mind which recognises the nature of brahman. The one who understands this nature of mine, he is entitled to earn the divine wealth and prosperity."

When the gods listened to this expression of her own nature by the goddess, they started singing in chorus in the praise of the goddess, "we bow before the goddess. We bow before the Mahadevi who ensures our welfare. We bow before the prakriti form of the goddess who has gone beyond the volatility and attained the supreme stillness. We bow before such giver of auspiciousness, following all the rules of respect and regard for her!"

They further continued the praise of the goddess, " we bow before the one who is of the colour of the fire. We bow before the one who has earned an enormous flow out of her tapas. We surrender to the shining goddess who is worshipped to gain the fruits of karma. O' goddess, the destroyer of the demons, we prostrate before you."

"The gods of Prana created the light of speech. The speech which is used by the creatures for communication. Such goddess of speech, Vagdevi, who grants the bliss like the kamdhenu - the make a wish cow, gives food and strength to her devotees, my she give us the darshan after getting satisfied of our worship and devotion to her." Said the gods.

We bow before the Kalaratri, the goddess who conquers the death, Vishnushakti, whi is praised by the Vedas, Skandamata (Shivshakti), Saraswati (Brahmashakti), mother of gods Aditi, and the daughter of Daksha, Sati. We bow before the goddess who washes away our sins and brings welfare to us.

Te gods said, "we know the form and nature of Mahalakshmi, and we meditate upon her, who gives us the strength. May this goddess guide us on the path of good."

(Definition and the nature of the goddess and her praise by the gods - as it appears in the Devi Atharvashirsha)

Who is Shiva?

Once the gods went wandering to the Heaven and they asked the Rudra, "Who are you?"

Rudra replied, "I am the One! I am in the past, present and the future. There is nothing that is without me. I am the secret of secrets. The one who is present in all directions, it's me. I am the continuity and discontinuity. I am the manifestation. I am the non-manifestation. I am the core of every existence. I am that existence which exists without the core."

Rudra continued further,"I am the East, West, North and South. I am the upside and downside. All directions, all that is feminine, Gayatri, Savitri, are me. Variety of different meters namely; Trishtubh, Jagati, Anushtubh, which are used to sing the Vedas are me. All different types of fire, Garhapatya, Dakshinaagni, Aahavaniya is me. I am the truth!"

(Image courtsy: Ajith Kumar Photography)

"All four Vedas namely; Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda, Atharvaveda are me. All that is respectable is me. All that is superior is me. Water, light, secretive, forest, perishable, non-perishable, sacred, auspicious, fierce, focal, covering, pointed these all is me. I am the flame! " said Shiva.

Shiva said to the gods that you should know that I mingle with all. Know further that the one who knows me knows all gods. Not only that, he knows all four Vedas with the subsections. 

Shiva says, "With my light I please the brahma with the brahman, cow with the cow, brahman with the brahman, life with the life, truth with the truth and the dharma with the dharma." Which means that Shiva is the metadata of the data representated by all these. For example the force behing the truth experienced by one is Shiva!

After listening this elaborate, comprehensive description of his own nature, given by Shiva, gods were so pleased that in chorus they started praising Shiva!!!

(Description of Shiva as appears in the Shiva Atharvashirsha)

Shiva Arharvashirsha sung by Yogi ArwindClick here to listen the Shiva Atharvashirsha sung by Yogi ArwindClick here to listen to the Shiva Atharvashirsha sung by Yogi Arwind

Guru ji, jahan baithu vahan chhaya ji...

Guru ji, jahan baithu vahan chhaya ji

So hi to malak mera najrana aaya ji.

O' my beloved Guruji, wherever I am, i experience the thick shadow of the divine grace. It's such wonderful bliss!

And I get the most precious gift meant for a true spiritual seeker, the experience of the supreme self!

This is nirguni bhajan of Deva Nath. Kumar Gandharva has soulfully sung it. This is a state of mind of a realised seeker. The seeker who has experienced the truth! The seeker who has seen the god! The seeker who has experienced the supreme consciousness!

The realised soul is reflecting the deep sense of gratitude towards his guru, the spiritual master who facilitated this experience for him. 

The guru guides the disciple in his spiritual journey with the words of wisdom. The seeker persistently continues his spiritual efforts. And one fine moment 

arrives that the summit of ultimate consciousness is reached. The obsever and observed lose the duality and only observation remains.

At such moment, the seeker spontaneously expresses his deep sense of gratitude towards his guru saying, 'O' my beloved Guruji, wherever I am, i experience the thick shadow of the divine grace. Its bliss!'

Gera gera jhad jhad sheetal chhayaa ji

Mhara hain satguru dekhan aaya ji

And the seeker says wherever i go, in every experience of my life, in each place, in every situation, every time i experience the cool shadow of the ultimate bliss! Such is the powerful experience that the there is no conditioning of the space and time for this experience. And he expresses the deep gratitude again for his master, the guru saying, its my satguru, who has shown me this divine light!

Kumharya jo dharati ye kalash mangaaya

Mhare satguru ne bhent chadhaayaa ji

The potter, who collects the good clay, cleans it, sorts the unwanted dirt out, mixes with water, makes good dough and then makes nice pot out of it, similarly my guru has accepted me with all my good and bad qualities, he gave me time, answered my queries, guided me with the spiritual practice, he showed utmost patience towards me and helped me to seek the truth! So, i am like the satvic pot that my guru has made out of the non refined clay of my personality which was full of saatvic, rajas and tamas gunas.

Tan bhar tala shabad bhar kunji

Mhare satguru ne khol bataya ji

I was trapped into body consciousness. I limited my existence to my body. This ignorance of mine was a root cause of my suffering. It deprived me of the experience of joy! The bliss. My guru helped me get out of this limitation whith the help of shabad, the key to open the lock of limited consciousness to enter the kingdom of supreme consciousness. My guru opened this lock with the mantra. He gave me the mantra. He gave me the practice. He showed me the light. All these worked a s ke key to liberate my self from the locked being!

Jeev nagar mein kaant bharanu

Mhare satguru ne shodh lagaayaa ji

The life of mortals is full of sufferings and sorrow. It is full of obstacles. Day to day life

 is so full of problems like the the thorns laid down on the path at every step. It is my guru who warned me of the horns. He showed me the horns and helped me clear the path. He helped me remove my sufferings. He helped me redifine sufferings. He helped me open my eyes. He helped me refine my actions. He helped me with the energy of persistence. Hence i am here at the summit experiencing the bliss of the supreme!

Doi kar jod Deva Naath bolyaa

Mhane kesar tilak chadhaaya ji

With the folded hands, says Deva Naath that he applies the saffron spot on the forehead of the guru ji!

The disciple is so content now. Hw is happy. He has deep sense of gratitude. He has sense of reverence towards the guru who made him reach the goal. Out of such umatched sense of request, the disciple worships the guru with the kesar tilak. The saffron spot. This is a traditional way of worship. 

Jai Gurudev!!!